Chapter Eleven

Bella

At first I didn't think I could relax enough to sleep but listening to Jasper's soft voice telling Kat such a magical little story lulled me and I fell into a peaceful sleep for a little while. When I woke up I saw Jasper still sitting on the edge of the bed and brushing Kat's hair free of her face with a tender smile.

"Thank you Jasper."

He nodded,

"You looked like you needed a nap. Bella, could we talk?"

"Of course."

"Not here. How about a coffee break. Kat will sleep for a while yet."

"OK"

I followed him out of her room and back to the elevator wondering what he wanted to talk about, leaving maybe, although he'd promised to stay as long as I needed him and at the moment I really needed someone. Once in the restaurant he went to get the coffee while I chose a table away from any others that were occupied although it was quiet at the moment, too late for the breakfast rush and too early for lunch.

Jasper

I wasn't sure quite how to approach the subject so I just jumped in,

"I got the feeling the doctor knew about your circumstances."

"He does, he knows the area I live and the state of the houses. They are old and as you know not best maintained by the landlord."

"So he's worried about you taking Kat back there?"

"Yes I guess so but its home."

"I wondered if you'd mind if I did a few jobs there, make it less draughty."

"Oh, what about the landlord? I'm not sure he'll like me doing things in the house."

"I wasn't planning on asking his permission. I just think it would be better if it were less draughty. I was going to offer to rent somewhere for you but I knew you'd probably slap me down"

She grinned,

"Yes I would, you know me too well Jasper."

"Lets use Jazz shall we, it sounds less formal and as I'm your "friend"...

She blushed,

"OK Jazz. I have to stay today at least but if I give you my key could you just make sure things are set for when I bring Kat home?"

"Of course, but may I visit later? Just to see how Kat is"

"I'd like that, she'd like that"

She handed me her key and went slowly out of the restaurant looking back with a tired smile before disappearing from view.

What are you doing? Are you really falling for Bella Swan? I guess I already knew the answers I was just scared to speak them out loud.

Back at Bella's place I took a look around, there was mould in the bathroom which she had tried to kill with bleach by the smell and every window let in cold draughts. It was an impossible task to stop them all without major renovations and the land lord wasn't going to go for that. I could get on and do it and worry later but it might cause problems for Bella, especially if she didn't want me to stay around so I wasn't left which much option but to see what else was around. Luckily the local realtor was open for business and I went in to see what was available at a reasonable rent. If I got something too expensive Bella would hit the roof. There was a small single storey close to her old place that was in far better repair and had three bedrooms which gave me an excuse to be closer if she wanted me and biting the bullet I took it on a six month rental starting the next day which really pleased the sales guy. The rest of the day I spent moving Bella's things from her place to mine and then rang her landlord about the condition of the place. He was pretty belligerent over the phone but when I threatened to get the authorities involved he agreed to meet with me. It didn't take long for me to "persuade" him that it needed some remedial work and when I offered to pay for those same renovation he agreed on the understanding he appeared to be the one who had arranged for and financed the work. He also agreed to allow Bella and her daughter back in at the same rent when the work was finished.

As I drove back to the hospital I felt nervous, unsure how to approach the subject without Bella telling me where to get off. When I reached Kat's room I heard Bella's voice and she sounded scared so I speeded up. Going inside Kat's room I saw a tall thick-set guy with long greasy hair standing over Kat's bed pointing a finger at Bella.

"Is everything OK Bella?"

"Who the hell are you?"

"Excuse me, can we take this outside? You're upsetting Kat as well as Bella."

He would have sworn at me but I think my face warned him off and he pushed past Bella and went to stand in the hall.

"Who is he?"

"That's Dwayne, Kat's uncle, Matt's brother. He turns up every few months to see if I'm ready to give Kat up. It doesn't matter where...anyway that's who he is"

She was white-faced and I knew there was more to the story but it could wait while Dwayne clearly couldn't.

"Is he welcome?"

Bella shook her head firmly and I went to confront the bully,

"I understand you are concerned for your niece but acting that way in front of her wont do you much good, you frightened her."

"She isn't looking after my niece properly. They live in a slum and the kid's always sick. She belongs with her family, we can offer her a stable home and a proper place to live"

"And why would you do that?"

"What? Kat's my brothers daughter. My dead brothers daughter, she's family."

"I see, I thought a child's place was with its mother"

"She's a useless incompetent. I just want her brought up right and I don't think a single girl should look after a kid, who knows who she has in the house."

"Are you accusing Bella of something?"

"Well she got knocked up by my brother at a party so she's not exactly Little Miss Innocent is she?"

"I suggest you keep your voice down and stop with the accusations before I'm forced to stop you myself"

"Oh yeah pretty boy? You think you can take me?"

"Oh I know I can, it's just a matter of where and when. Now get out while you still can and if I ever see you again I wont be quite so forgiving or polite."

He glared but I stood my ground looking him in the eye and he saw I wasn't kidding and sloped away but I had a feeling I'd be seeing him again before too long.

Back in Kat's room Bella was comforting her daughter,

"I'm sorry, I should have got back sooner"

"Its OK, I should have known Dwayne would turn up, he always does eventually and usually when something goes wrong, I swear he's got a spy watching me."

"Really? Well I think he and I are going to speak again, I'll see what I can find out. You OK Kitty Kat?"

She nodded still looking scared,

"Don't worry, I wont let him near you again I promise"

She smiled and hugged her pink bear tightly coughing so hard it racked her little body.

"We need to have another talk Bella and I'm not sure if you're going to be pleased with what I say."

She looked suddenly very serious,

"Oh? What?"

"I had words with your landlord about the repairs and he's agreed to do them but it means you moving out for a few weeks."

"But where to? I can't afford to pay for anywhere else."

"I know, so I rented somewhere for you, just for a few months so you don't need to worry. I even moved your things and Kat's so you'll be taking her home to somewhere warm and with no mould on the walls."

"Jazz I can't"

"Bella not only can you but you will. I refuse to take no for an answer, call it an extra Christmas present. Besides if I'm gonna stay a while I need a base and not a motel room. This place has three bedrooms so there's plenty of room for all of us, you and Kat will be my guests. Don't argue just say yes. What do you say Kitty Kat, you want to stay at my new house for a while? You've got your own room and its pink."

Kat nodded and clapped her hands before she yawned widely,

"Come on Kat, snuggle down with Simon and have a nap before dinner"

Within minutes Kat was snoring gently,

"Her chest sounds better"

"Yes, she's breathing much more easily and I think the cough is easing a little but let me tell you something Jasper Whitlock. If you ever ambush me again like that I'll beat you to death with Kat's teddy filled with lead shot. Understood?"

I nodded with a smile,

"Understood"